Hydrogenation and hydrodealkylation process

Abstract

Hydrogenation and hydrodealkylation catalysts of aromatic hydrocarbons comprising a palladium alloy with molybdenum, containing from 0.1 to 30 percent by weight of molybdenum. The catalyst can be manufactured in the form of powders, blacks, membranes, foils or tubes and employed in the processes of hydrogenation and hydrodealkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons carried out either separately or simultaneously.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a method for the hydrogenation of aromatic hydrocarbons the improvement comprising reacting said hydrocarbons under hydrogenation conditions including a temperature of 100° to 300°C over a catalyst comprising a palladium-molybdenum alloy with a molybdenum content in the alloy of 0.1 to 30% by weight, said catalyst being in the form of granules, powder, or gauze, or membranes, films, foils or tubes selectively permeable only to hydrogen. 
     
     
       2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said catalyst has a molybdenum content of 2 to 15% by weight. 
     
     
       3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said catalyst has a palladium content of 98% by weight and a molybdenum content of 2% by weight. 
     
     
       4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said catalyst has a palladium content of 85% by weight and a molybdenum content of 15% by weight. 
     
     
       5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbons are fed together with hydrogen into a reactor with said catalyst. 
     
     
       6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbons are fed in an inert gas flow into a reactor and hydrogen is fed by diffusion through said catalyst in the form of membranes, films, foils, or tubes. 
     
     
       7. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said hydrocarbon is benzene. 
     
     
       8. In a method for the hydrodealkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons, the improvement comprising reacting said hydrocarbons under hydrodealkylation conditions including a temperature of 400° to 650°C over a catalyst comprising a palladium-molybdenum alloy having a molybdenum content of 0.1 to 30% by weight in the form of granules, powder, or gauze or membranes, films, foils, or tubes that are selectively permeable only to hydrogen. 
     
     
       9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said catalyst has a molybdenum content of 2 to 15% by weight. 
     
     
       10. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said catalyst has a palladium content of 98% by weight and a molybdenum content of 2% by weight. 
     
     
       11. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said catalyst has a palladium content of 85% by weight and a molybdenum content of 15% by weight. 
     
     
       12. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said aromatic hydrocarbons are fed together with hydrogen into a reactor with said catalyst. 
     
     
       13. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said hydrocarbons are fed in an inert gas flow and hydrogen is fed by diffusion through said catalyst in the form of membranes, tubes, foils, or films. 
     
     
       14. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said hydrocarbon is toluene.